I’m sitting at my desk, next to a bag full of brochures, business cards, and line sheets from both the Stationery Show and the ICFF. So just to wet your appetite with all the goodies that I will be reporting on in the coming week, I’ll pick the first thing that hits my fingertips to share with you. And it’s an owl lamp.
This moody light by Contra Forma is playful and elegant at the same time. It would work in a kid’s space or any other for that matter.
I saw this hot air balloon craft by Curly Birds on B-Kids, and it inspired me to look for more!
I love the idea of upcycling light bulbs or drink bottles into hot air balloons. These artful creations are by Souther Salazar. Found via What Possessed Me.
I love this paper folding technique and it works so well for this hot air balloon mobile. Made by Brown Accents.
I know we just passed Mother’s Day and there really is no gift-giving holiday in the very near future, but I thought these wrapping ideas all using butcher paper were post-worthy.
Love confetti; hate the mess. But if I got a gift wrapped like this, I’m not sure I’d even open it. From Tokketok.
Use a date stamp to make a graphic pattern on solid paper. I love the thought of stamping someone’s birthday all over their package. Visit Paper, Plate, and Plane for more photos and instructions. (Colored ink might give it more pizzazz. Just sayin’.)
Here is the ultimate intersection of work and life…Oliver’s nursery in the June issue of Parents magazine! Take a look and visit Parents.com for more photos and craft instructions. (Caravan Crib from Kalon Studios, Mountain Wallpaper from Fine Little Day, El Shelves from CB2, Blue Nesting Tables from Areaware)
His curtains may be my favorite thing in the room. The fabric is from Ikea and I made the straps with belt material, overall buckles, and buttons.
I can’t focus on much else besides Oliver in this pic! The drawer pulls are vintage wooden yoyos and the mobile is made out of paper punched circles and an embroidery hoop. (Flash Cards from 3 Potato 4)
His rug is by Flor…they actually sell a kit where you cut the squares to form a bear skin rug. Check out the video of me and Michael (with Oliver as spectator) “cutting the rug!” (Settee from Urban Outfitters, Green side table from West Elm, Elephant lamp and mushrooms from Acorn)
I turned a trashed school chair into a smiley monkey for when he gets a little bigger. You can download the templates for the chair here.
I bravely tackled making my own version of this yarn light fixture. It was a process to say the least, but I love it!
My mom and her friends from the Cast-On Cottage in Atlanta (a knitting and needlepoint store) knitted this awesome pennant for us. (Owl Pouch from Giddy Giddy)
These pillows from Vintage Jane (on Etsy) sit on the little settee next to Oliver’s crib. I call them “his friends.” He smiles at them when I dry him off after bathtime. (Get this…they are only $22!!)
Have you ever found yourself on a street corner or in a car trying desperately to refold a map, bending it this way, then that, accordian folding, then just shoving it closed? And days later, you end up with a hole in the center on the seam. Nice.
This map is the best invention ever! All you do is crumple/shove/stuff it in your bag or pocket and keep moving. It looks like its made from Tyvek-like material. Oh yeah, and it’s totally waterproof.
I wish I were one of those people who really knew how to serve tea properly. (Did anyone see the ridiculous episode of Pregnant in Heels where a woman was learning to serve British tea properly? I’m ashamed to say I did.) But I’m so American and a mug and a teabag is about all I can muster. I have a sweet ceramic teapot that is just a dust collector, so maybe now, I will surrender to my Twinings and use it for flowers.
I searched forever for a cute lamp for Oliver’s room (ended up with this amazing one from my favorite toy shop in Brooklyn, Acorn) and now I wish I had seen this DIY project! You don’t have to use Matsutake‘s sewing pattern to make this; any stuffed animal will do. Find the brilliant instructions for this fox lamp on her blog (one of my new faves).
Ahhh! I know, I know, my neglect of my sweet little blog has been beyond sad. I won’t go on and on with excuses, I’ll just show you a photo of the biggest (and most delightful) one. I’m getting back on schedule, so expect new posts very, very soon!
If creativity could find it’s way into the weather report, then there’s hope for pretty much everything else. Go to this link to put in your city to get a lovely, visual, sans smiling sunshines.
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